Why Does Superposition Give Different Results in PSPICE?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the application of superposition and Thevenin's theorem to find the voltage across a load resistor (Vload). Initial calculations yielded a combined voltage of 6.12 V using superposition, but a PSPICE simulation showed a different result of 4.33 V. The discrepancy arises from incorrectly applying superposition by neglecting to replace other voltage sources with their internal resistances. Correcting this involves using the parallel resistance formula for the voltage sources. The final conclusion emphasizes the importance of accurately modeling the circuit components in simulations.
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Never mind, did superposition incorrectly.

Homework Statement



http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9206/jesus2gn2.th.png

Find Vload using superposition and thevenin's equivalent

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Well for network on the left of Rload, I found Vth = 5 V and Rth = 15.1 kohms
For the network on the right of Rload, I found Vth = 7.5 V and Rth = 8150 ohms.

So using superposition I would do:
1) 5 V * 10k / (10k+15.1k) = 1.99 V on Rload
2) 7.5 V * 10k / (10k + 8150) = 4.13 V
Adding those I get 6.12 V.

However, when I simulate this in PSPICE I get 4.33 V.
I also checked each side and I get 1.99 V on the left (when I disconnect the right) and I get 4.13 V on the right (when I disconnect the left).

What am I doing wrong, I can't even remotely see where that 4.33 V comes from.
 
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When you calculate the voltage on the load due to one voltage source, you can't just remove the others, but need to replace them with their internal resistance.

for 1) you'd get 5 v * (10K // 8150) / ((10K // 8150) + 15.1k)
(A // B) is the value of the resistance of A parallel with B, or AB/(A+B)
 
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